Modular construction system



y 1966 A. J. CORNELISSEN 3,251,169

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. '7. 1960 A WW/4M Illlllli INVENTOR. ARNOLD J. COPNELISSEN y 1966 A. J. CORNELISSEN3,251,169

MODULAR CONS TRUCTION SYSTEM Filed Nov. '7. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

ARNOLD -1- CORNELISSEN nu, w @eau.

y 7, 1966 A. J. CORNELISSEN 3,251,169

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. '7, 1960 IN V ENTOR. ARNOLD J. CORNELISSEN GAl/MM y 7, 1966 A. J. CORNELISSEN 3,251,169

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. '7. 1960INZEA'TOR. ARNOLD J. COPNELISSEN y 7, 1966 A. J. CORNELISSEN 3,251,169

MQDULAR CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. '7, 1960JNVENTOR. ARNOLD J. COPNELISSEN May 17, 1966 A. J.,CORNEL.ISSEN MODULARCONSTRUCTION SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. '7. 1960 INVENTOR.

Fig. 18

ARNOLD J. CORNELISSEN United States Patent 3,251,169 MUDIJLARCONSTRUCTIUN SYSTEM Arnold .I. Cornelissen, 1022 Monroe Ave, Port Vue,McKeesport, Pa. Filed Nov. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 67,530 tllaims. (Cl.52-497) This invention relates generally to the construction art, andmore specifically to a new and useful system of modular buildingconstruction, utilizing preformed parts which are assembled on the siteto comprise a complete structure.

Prefabricated, modular constructions are well known, and are coming intoincreasingly wide spread use. However, structures of this typeheretofore have possessed certain disadvantages. For example, many ofthem are extremely utilitarian and functional in appearance, andtherefore are unacceptable for fine residential and like purposes wheredecor and finish are particularly important. Also, many systemsheretofore proposed present troublesome assembly and maintenanceproblems, or have other limitations which curtail their use. At the sametime, it is becoming increasingly imperative that ways and means hefound to reduce or-at least hold down the cost of housing, and thereduction in labor, made possible by preformed, ready-to-assernblehousing, has become increasingly important in this respect.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a modular constructionwhich will satisfy all normal aesthetic requirements, so that it can beused where appearance is of great importance as well as for strictlyutilitarian purposes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction which isrelatively economical to manufacture and which is easy to assemble onthe site, whereby the overall cost is relatively low.

In addition, it is an object of my invention to provide a modularconstruction which, while readily assembled Without special tools orseparate fastenings, is extremely strong and durable when assembled.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a modularconstruction utilizing for the most part a very few basic components,thereby effecting an economy.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a constructionwherein the decor can be changed as desired, to provide a variety ofwall colors, textures and patterns, both at the time of construction,and thereafter.

In one aspect thereof, a building structure constructed in accordancewith my invention is broadly characterized by the provision of a panel,which can be a floor, ceiling, wall and/or roof panel, a load bearingmember, and a linking member interposed between the load bearing memberand the panel, the linking member being keyed to the load bearing memberand to the panel in interlocking relation therewith and comprising, withthe load bearing member, a basic component used throughout my system.

In another aspect thereof, a building structure of my invention ischaracterized by the provision of a pair of angularly related panels, aload bearing member, and a linking member connecting the panel to theload bearing member, the linking member comprising in this instance anedging member interposed between both panels and the load bearingmember, the two panels being keyed to the same linking member, and thelinking member being keyed to the load bearing member.

In another aspect thereof, a building structure constructed inaccordance with my invention is characterized by the provision of apanel, a load bearing member along each edge of said panel, a linkingmember interposed between each of said load bearing members and the3,251,169 Patented May 17, 1966 adjacent edge of said panel, a shoemember at each corner of said panel, and interlocking keys and keywaysinterconnecting said load bearing members and said shoes, said linkingmembers and said load bearing members, and said panel and said linkingmembers, thereby to maintain all of said members and said panels inassembled relation.

In still another aspect thereof, a building structure constructed inaccordance with my invention is characterized by the provision of apanel comprising a pair of separable panel sections, a load bearingmember, and linking means interconnecting said panel and said loadbearing member, with each of said panel sections comprising a frameportion keyed to said linking means, and a body portion releasablysecured to said frame portion, whereby said body portions can be removedfrom said. frame portions, and replaced by other body portions ifdesired.

In yet another aspect thereof, a building structure constructed inaccordance with my invention is characterized by the provision of loadbearing members outlining a prescribed floor-ceiling area, a shoe memberat each corner of said area, linking members interposed between. saidload bearing members and said area, interlocking keys and keywaysconnecting said load bearing members to said shoe members and to saidlinking members, edging girder members interposed between said linkingmembers and said area, span girder members extending between opposedlinking members across said area, and means securing said girder membersto said linking members comprising cooperating tongues and tonguereceiving grooves, said girder members providing support for flooringand ceiling materials.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing featuresof my invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detaileddescription of certain presently contemplated embodiments thereof,considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein likereference numerals denote like parts throughout the various views andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of anassembled panel, corner shoe, edging members and load bearing spidermembers of my invention;

FIG. 2 is .a sectional view taken about on line II--II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, fragmentary, perspective View of adjacent framesections of one of the panel sections, indicating how they areslipfitted into assembled relation;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of one panel section bodyportion;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view of flush assembled panels,spider member, and linking members, wherein the linking members comprisebridging members;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view. of an assembled panelsection frame portion;

FIG. 7 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation of anassembled wall and floor-ceiling receiving section;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view thereof, taken about on lineVIIIVIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a connection to afoundation rail member;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, broken away for ease of illustration, of amodified panel construction;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a roof construction of my invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the parts comprising the juncture of theroof and an exterior wall;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the parts comprising the cave and gutterjuncture;

I of the wall.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the parts comprising the ridge juncture;

FIG. 15 is a view, similar to that of FIG. but showing a modifiedconstruction;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of an edging member for usewith the modification of FIG. 15; and

FIGS. 17 and 18 are enlarged, fragmentary sectional views of theinterlocking connection between the frame and body portions of the outerand inner panel sections, respectively, in the modification of FIG. 5.

The-re is shown in FIG. 1 a portion of a corner, utilizing theconstruction of my invention. The illustrated corner compriseshorizontal and vertical load bearing spider members, generallydesignated 1. Each of the spider members 1 has a laterally enlargedtongue 2 extending from each of the four corners thereof, and along thefull length thereof. The tongues 2 are slidably received incorrespondingly shaped tongue-receiving grooves 3 in adjacent edgingmembers, generally designated 4. Spider members 1 substantially meet atthe corner, with their tongues 2 also being slidably received in thecorrespondingly shaped tongue-recciving grooves 5 of corner shoemembers, generally designated 6.

Having thus defined a corner, the edging and shoe members 4, 6 receive apanel, generally designated 7, comprising a wall in FIG. 1. Panel 7comprises paired panel sections 7', 7", each having a frame portion 15',15" and a body portion 24, 26, respectively, and is provided along eachof its four edges with paired, laterally enlarged tongues 8 which areslidably received in correspondingly shaped tongue-receiving grooves 9of the edging members 4, the tongues being formed on the frame portions15, 15"

To avoid confusion, FIG. 1 has been limited in its showing. However, itwill be apparent that a spider member 1 is to be provided along eachedge of each panel 7. Interposed between the panel 7 and each spidermember 1 is a pair of edging members 4. The pair of edging members 4provide the edge between wall panel 7 and the ceiling, floor, andadjacent wall panels on opposite sides of the wall, and in theillustrated form the edging members 4 provide rounded edges along eachside Each spider member 1 is adapted to engage a total of four edgingmembers 4, thereby to provide a common support at the juncture betweenfour adjacent rooms (see FIGS. 2 and 8). However, spider members 1 withonly three, two or even one tongue 2 can be provided, if desired.

The spider members 1 interlock with corner shoes 6, at each corner ofpanel 7, and it will be appreciated that there is a pair of corner shoes6 engaging each member 1,

and abutting the paired members 4, at each corner of each panel 7,thereby to define the corners of adjacent rooms (see FIG. 2). Cornermembers 6 provide rounded corners, although members 4 and 6 also canprovide edges and corners of any desired configuration.

To complete the assembly, the corner shoes are provided with cut outportions or slots 10 in each of the three corners thereof, for receivingthe corners 11 of frame portions 15" of panel 7. The tongues 8 along theedges of panel 7 are interrupted, and terminate short of the corners 11,so that the panels can be slip-fitted into assembled relation withedging members 4 and corner shoes 6.

To further position and secure these parts in assembled relation, and toprovide an insulating baffle across the juncture between edging members4- and corner members 6, the latter are provided with keys in the formof projecting embossments 12. Keys 12 are equal in width to the distancebetween the tongue receiving grooves 5 of shoes 6 and the panel cornerreceiving slots 10 thereof, and extend into corresponding keyways 13 onthe edging members 4. Alternately, keys 12 could project from members 4into corresponding keyways in members 6, or

separate keys, fitting into keyways in both members, could be provided.

Thus, spider members 1, corner shoes 6, panel 7, and edging members 4connecting panel '7 to the spider members 1, all formed to predetermineddimensions, comprise a combination which is basic in my system andextensively used throughout.

Where it is desired to connect panels which are apart, or flush, and notright angularly related as in the case of FIGS. 1 and 2, :a modifiedform of linking or connecting member is used between spider 1 and panel7, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Here, the spider member is again indicatedat 1, and is interposed between a pair of aligned panels 7. The linkingmembers are indicated at 4', and comprise bridging members presentingfiat wall surfaces 14, 14-. grooves 9' positioned to receive the tongues8 of panels 7, along with tongue receiving grooves 3 for receiving thetongues 2 of member 1.

It will be appreciated that the basic combination remains the same. Theonly change is that, with a vertical wall comprising two or more flushor aligned panels 7, the bridging members 4' serve to interconnect thepanels 7 and the spider members 1 while providing a substantiallyuninterrupted wall surf-ace.

Panels 7 can take a variety of forms. I believe that the formillustrated in FIGS. 16 is to be preferred. In this construction, eachpanel comprises a pair of separable sections 7' and 7". Section 7" isparticularly suitable for exterior walls, as well as for interior walls,for reasons to become apparent, while section 7' is particularlysuitable for interior Walls.

Panel sections 7, 7" each comprise a frame portion 15', 15",respectively, and a body portion 24, 26, respectively. The frameportions 15', 15 each consist of four sections, preferably identicalexcept as to length, and comprising, for example, paired sheet metalfabrications filled with an appropriate filler material 16. At one end,each frame section is provided with a pair of spaced tongues 17, 18extending at right angles thereto and adapted ot receive therebetween aright angle tongue 19 projecting from the opposite end of each framesection (FIGS. 3 and 6). In assembling the frames 15', 15" the tongue 19of one frame section is slip-fitted laterally between the tongues 17, 13of the adjacent section, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3. The tongue18 is received in a cut out or recessed portion 20 adjacent the tongue19, and the assembled frame sections present the appearance shown inFIG. 6.

The frame portion 15 of inner panel section 7' is provided with anundercut shoulder 22 outlining the inner periphery thereof. Shoulder 22receives an undercut shoulder 23 outlining the body portion 24 of theinner panel section 7 in snap-fit relation therewith (FIGS. 5 and 18).

The frame portion 15 of the outer panel section 7 has a correspondingundercut shoulder 25, which receives an undercut shoulder 25 outliningthe outer panel section body 'portion 26 in snap-fit relation (FIGS. 5and 17).

A backing member 27, of suitable material such as wood, preferably isapplied to the innerside of body portions 26, and a block of insulatingand reinforcing foam material 28 is carried thereby and extends inwardlytherefrom to the inner wall surface of the inner panel body portion 24.A foil or other moisture barrier 27' can be applied to the inner wallsurface of body 24 (FIGS. 5 and 18).

It will be observed that frame portions 15', 15" are identical, exceptthat they face in opposite directions. This simplifies manufacture,storage and assembly.

A backing 27", which can be the same as backing 27, can be provided forthe outer wall 14 of bridging member 4.

To prevent unauthorized removable of the outer panel body 26,particularly when it is used as an exterior wall,

Bridging members 4' have tongue receiving I provide a releasable lock inthe form of an inturned flange 29 terminating in a lateral lockingshoulder 30 (FIG. 4) which engages behind the outer frame portion asclearly indicated in FIGS. 1, S and 17. The undercut shoulders 23 and25' have rounded, cam edges, to facilitate snap'fitting them into place,and shoulder has a cam surface 30 for a similar purpose. However,shoulder 36' is abrupt at the engaging edge and extends completelyaround the panel body 26 in engagement with frame portion 15", wherebythe panel body 26 cannot be separated from its frame 15" except frombehind the frame. In other words, it is necessary to gain access to theabutting surfaces of frame 15" and shoulder 30, in order to pry themapart, before the body portion 26 can be released. This can beaccomplished only from the interior of the panel, after removal of theinner panel section 7'.

The use of separate frame sections which can be interlocked at the siteoflers many advantages. Separate pieces are much easier to handle,during both shipment and construction, than one large piece. Also,damage is less likely to occur, and a saving in cost will be realized.Once the frame is assembled, and inserted into the shoe slots 10, thesections are held in assembled relation by the shoe members 6.

The use of body portions 24, 26, separate from the frame portions 15',15", has the advantage that they can be removed, separately, andreplaced with body portions having different wall surfaces. In this way,the decor can be varied, by replacing the body portions with ones havinga surface of the desired color, texture and/or pattern. In thisconnection, the body portion 24 can comprise a panel 24 of wood, or anyother desired material, and the same is true of the body portion 26.

Panel 7 offers the further advantage that the filler 4 material 16, inaddition to providing an insulating and reinforcing filler preventingmetal to metal contact through the panel, also permits the tongues 8 toresiliently ield and thereby tightly engage the walls of the tonguereceiving grooves 9, 9. The same is true of the panel corners 11.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate panel construction, comprising a pairof combined body and frame members 36, 37 formed at their opposite endsto provide laterally enlarged tongues 8', the panel being filled withresiliently yieldable material such as rubber, foamed plastic, syntheticsponge or the like, indicated at 38. With such a construction, the panelwill yield in tension or shear, in the event that manufacturingtolerances or temperature 1 induced dimensional changes require a slightvariation in the spacing between the laterally enlarged tongues 8' atopposite sides of the panel. Tongues 8' also are resilientlycompressible.

Instead of a composite panel of separable sections, a pair of spacedpanels separated by an insulating air space can be used, as shown at 70in FIGS. 7 and 8.

For convenience in illustration, the edging members 4 have been shown inFIG. 1 as substantially solid members. However, they too can comprisesheet metal fabrications containing insulating foam material such asindicated at 32 in connection with the bridging members 4 (FIG. 5).Inasmuch as such alternate construction of members 4 is obvious from theillustrated construction of members 4', further illustration isunnecssary.

Similarly, the spider members 1 are shown as solid members in FIG. 1,but preferably they will have the construction illustrated in FIG. 5. Insuch construction, each spider member comprises a hollow core 34 whichcould be extruded but preferably comprises interlocking parts formed arectangle. The core parts interlock with a tongue and groove connection,and can be formed of a synthetic plastic or any other suitable material.The tongues 2 comprise sheet metal fabrications which are interlockedwith the core, it being appreciated that the core sections can be eithermolded or slip-fitted about the flanged ends of the tongues 2. The coresections also are provided with projections 35 which extend outwardlybetween the tongues 2 and assist in providing a tight construction whenthe members 4, 4' are slip-fitted on the tongues 2.

For construction of floors and ceilings, the same basic componentscomprising spider members 1, edging members 4 and corner shoe members 6are used. Panel 7, including the snap-in body portions, can be used asthe floor or ceiling, where desired. However, FIGS. 7 and 8 show analternate construction including the use of girder members 40, spanmembers 41 and spacing members 42. Girder members 40 differ from spacingmembers 42.

only in that they form a corner, whereas members 42 space apart adjacentspan members 41. Each member 40, 42 comprises a vertical Web portion 43terminating in flanges 44 to provide a generally I shape in crosssection. Flanges 44 terminate along one side of members 49, 42 inlaterally enlarged tongues 45, which are slidably received in the tonguereceiving grooves 9 of edging members 4. Web portions 43 also areprovided generally centrally thereof with a flange as, which enters thespace between adjacent edging members 4 to position and strengthen theassembly.

Span members 41 can be of similar cross sectional configuration having aweb 43 terminating in flanges 44. Flanges 44 terminate at their oppositeends in laterally enlarged tongues 45' which slidably engage the tonguereceiving grooves 9 of edging members 4, between members 4t) and 42. Thespan member webs 43' also have strengthening flanges 46' (FIG. 7), whichextend into the space between edging members 4 (FIG. 8). With thisarrangement the top surfaces 44, 44' provide shoulders for receiving subflooring 47 (FIG. 8) which can in turn receive any desired flooring 48.On the underside, any type of ceiling desired can be attached. The roofdepicted in FIGS. 11l4 also has the spider members 1 at the heartthereof. FIG. 12 shows the juncture betewen the roof and'the outer wall50 of the building, comprising a spider member 1 receiving on its undersurface a pair of edging members 4, which latter receive the outer wall50 in the manner described for example in FIG. 1. Panel 7 can be theouter wall 50. Member 1 also supports a pair of linking members 50, 51,each having a tongue receiving groove for engaging the member 1. Themembers 50, 51 also have tongue receiving grooves 52 for receivingtongues along the edge of a subroof member 53, and the member 51 alsohas a tongue receiving groove 54, which, together with the groove 9 ofmember 4, is adapted to receive girder and span members as previouslydescribed. Member 50 also has a tongue receiving groove 55, whichtogether with the tongue receiving groove 9 of member 4 is adapted toreceive tongues (like tongues 8) on an eave panel 56 which also hastongues engaging the tongue receiving grooves 57 in a pair of eave endmembers 58, 59 (FIG. 13) which are supported by a spider member 1. Asecand spider member 1 interconnects the cave end member 59 with a thirdeave end member 66, and the members 5%, 60 have grooves 61 for receivingthe tongues of an outer roof panel 62.

At the ridge, a pair of spider members 1 interconnect a ridge member 63(FIG. 14) with an intermediate member 64, and connect an inner ridgemember 65 with the members 64. The members 64, 65 have tongue receivinggrooves 52 for receiving the inner roof member 53, and tongue receivinggrooves 66 for receiving an upright panel 67, which can be panel 7. Themembers 63 and 64 have tongue receiving grooves 61 for receiving tongueson the roof panels 62 and also are recessed to provide, in the case ofmember 63, an overlapping portion 68, and a supporting shoulder 69 onthe member 64. A gutter is provided, in the form of a channel 80. Thegutter back wall 81 terminates in a flange 82 which, with anintermediate flange 83, embraces eave end member 59. Flanges 82 and 83support the gutter, which is locked in place by member 60 with theoverhanging lip 84.

It will be appreciated that the various roof juncture members 50, 51,58, 59, 60, 63, 64 and 65 are elongated, and can receive girder or panelmembers, as previously described with reference to edging members 4, andwould extend to appropriate corner members corresponding to shoe members6.

FIG. 9 illustrates a supporting attachment to the foundation 71. Asupporting rail 72, outlining the foundation area, is fastened tofoundation 71, as by bolts 73. The supporting rails 72 have laterallyenlarged tongues 74 which are slidably received in the tongue receivinggrooves 9, 9' of members 4, 4' whichare connected to panels 7, spidermember 1, and members 40-42 in the manner previously described.

Certain modified constructions; in which the spider and edging membersare reoriented, are shown in FIG. 15, which is a composite schematic.More specifically, it will be observed that the spider member 1' has itstongues 2' extending in the direction of the wall panels 70', or atright angles thereto, instead of diagonally as in FIG. 1. The edgingmembers 4" have tongue receiving grooves 3 engaging the tongues 2, and abridging member 4 has tongue receiving grooves 3". The members 4", 4'also have tongue receiving grooves 9" for receiving laterally enlargedtongues 8 on the frame portions 150 of the various panels 70'.

The frame portions 150 can be identical with the frame portions 15 ofthe panels 7, and in each instance they provide an undercut shoulder 151for receiving the undercut shoulders 152 carried by the various bodypanels 153, 154, 154', 155 and 156. Body portions 153, 154 are similar,each having a double panel 157, 158. They differ primarily in that bodyportion 153 carries a block 160 of insulating material which extendsnearly to body panel 156, and which is enclosed and supported by anextension 161 from the shoulder 152. Extension 161 is formed to providea locking shoulder 161', corresponding to the shoulder 30 previouslydescribed. Panels 157 extend into corners 162 provided on the bridgingmember 4", and panels 158 abut each other. The juncture between thepanels 158 can be sealed as by a plate 163 snap-fitted into place on thebridging member 4", the space between the panels 158, bridging member 4"and the cover member 163 being filled with appropriate insulation 164.

Body portion 154' differs from the body portion 154 in that panels 157'and 158' are not as wide as panels 157, 158. Body portions 154 and 154both have an undercut shouldered part 152' snap-fitting over the frameshoulders 151 and formed to provide a shoulder 161 engaging behind theframe 150. Parts 152 are extended beyond shoulders 161', and surroundand support blocks 160' of insulating material.

Body portions 155, 156, being for inside walls, can carry insulatingmaterial 160, if desired, or a foil or other vapor barrier 159. Each ofthem carry undercut shouldered parts 152" which, like the parts 152,152', can be secured to the panel as by screws or the like.

Thus, FIG. 15 illustrates several body panel arrangements, with thepanel 153 being detachable only from the interior, and with the panels154, 154' being permanently installed.

Body panels 154', 155 abut to form the corner edges. However, in thecase of panels 156 the outermost panel parts 165 do not abut, andinstead a corner insert is provided comprising a clip 166 backed byresiliently compressible material 167 and formed to receive, with a snapfit, the head 168 of a corner insert 169.

In this arrangement, the body panels 156 can be snapped out andinterchanged, as desired, to change the decor, and the corner inserts169 can be correspondingly changed.

FIG. 16 shows a horizontal, floor edge member 170 presenting a roundedface 171. Member 170 is formed on its under surface with rearwardlydirected teeth 172 for engaging wall-to-wall carpeting and pulling thesame taut as the member 170 is snapped into place along the floor. Themember 170 can carry studs 173 adapted to snap fit in a clip, such asthe clip 166 but carried along the horizontal floor corner or edge andreceived in an edging member 4" corresponding to that shown, butextending horizontally.

Here again, the arrangement of spider members, edging and bridgingmembers, panels, and the like follows the arrangement previouslydescribed, in that the various parts are slip-fitted into assembledrelation, with the panels being separable sections having detachablebody portions.

Thus, the various parts either slip-fit or snap-fit into assembledrelation. If desired, a suitable adhesive can be applied to the abuttingsurfaces. The hollow core 34 of the spider members can carry wiring andother conduits, and the edging and corner shoe members 4-, 6 can besimilarly utilized. In addition, the members 4, 6 can have cove plates90 (FIG. 2), 91 (FIG. 1), respectively, releasably snap-fitted thereto,for interchangeability as'described with reference to the panel bodyportions 24, 26. In such case, wiring and the like can be carriedbetween the member and the detachable cove plate. It will of course beappreciated that all of the various parts are preformed, and dimensionedto the desired modular unit.

The tongues 2, 2, 8, 8, 8" and 74, and the tonguereceiving grooves 3, 3,3", 3", 9, 9 and 9" comprise interlocking keys and keyways. Like keys 12and keyways 13 (FIG. 1), their relative position can be reversed, orseparate keys can be provided if desired.

The foregoing detailed description has been given by way ofillustration, without thought of limitation. Having fully described myinvention, what I claim as new is:

1. In a building structure, a panel, a spider member extending along oneedge of said panel in spaced apart relation thereto, an edging memberextending along said one edge of said panel between said spider memberand said panel, said edging member terminating short of the oppositeends of said one panel edge, and a corner shoe member at said oppositeends of said one panel edge, said corner shoe members engaging theopposite ends of said edging member, means connecting said edging memberand said corner shoe members to said spider member, and meansinterconnecting said edging member and said panel.

2. A building structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connectingand interconnecting means comprise a laterally enlarged tongue extendingalong substantially the entire length of said spider member, a grooveextending continuously along substantially the entire length of saidedging member for receiving said spider tongue in endwise slip-fittingrelation therewith, a laterally enlarged tongue extending along said oneedge of said panel and terminating short of the opposite ends of saidpanel edge, and a groove having a cross-sectional configurationcorresponding to that of said panel tongue extending continuously alongsaid edging member for substantially the entire length thereof forreceiving said panel tongue in endwise slip-fitting relation therewith.

3. A building structure as set forth in claim 2, sai corner shoe membershaving grooves of a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to thatof said edging member grooves, said corner member grooves being alignedwith said edging member grooves for receiving said spider tongue inendwise slip-fitting relation therewith.

4. In a building structure, a panel frame, an edging member for eachside edge of said frame, said edging members extending along the sideedges of said frame for a major portion of the length thereof andterminating short of the corners of said frame, said edging membershaving a sliding interlock with said frame, a corner shoe member at eachcorner of said frame, each of said corner shoe members abutting adjacentones of said edging members, and a spider member for each side edge ofsaid frame, said spider members extending along said edging members andtherebeyond, said spider members and With said corner shoe members, saidspider members maintaining said edging members and said Corner shoemembers in assembled relation around said frame, and said corner shoemembers maintaining said edging members in position along the side edgesof said frame.

5. In a building structure as set forth in claim 4, a laterally enlargedtongue carried by each of said spider members and extending continuouslyalong substantially the entire length thereof, a tongue receiving groovein each of said edging members extending continuously alongsubstantially the entire length thereof and a pair of angularly relatedtongue receiving grooves in each of said corner shoe members, saidtongue receiving grooves of said edging members and said corner shoemembers 20 receiving the tongue of the adjacent spider member inslip-fitting relation therewith.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/ 1943 Tedrow52564 1/1954 Cochrane 52-583 6/1958 Borwn et a1. 5263 X 12/1958 Couse etal 52435 3/1959 Jantsch 52488 4/1959 Couse et al 52465 8/1959 Bush eta1. 52-400 12/1959 Rust et al 20--11 4/1961 Tinfow 20-11 FOREIGN PATENTS2/ 1935 France. 8/ 1933 France. v 5/ 1950 France. 11/ 1938 GreatBritain.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM I. MUSHAKE, JACOB NACKENOFF,

Examiners.

1. IN A BUILDING STRUCTURE, A PANEL, A SPIDER MEMBER EXTENDING ALONG ONEEDGE OF SAID PANEL IN SPACED APART RELATION THERETO, AN EDGING MEMBEREXTENDING ALONG SAID ONE EDGE OF SAID PANEL BETWEEN SAID SPIDER MEMBERAND SAID PANEL, SAID EDGING MEMBER TERMINATING SHORT OF THE OPPOSITEENDS OF SAID ONE PANEL EDGE, AND A CORNER SHOE MEMBER AT SAID OPPOSITEENDS OF SAID ONE PANEL EDGE, SAID CORNER SHOE MEMBERS ENGAGING THEOPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID EDGING MEMBER, MEANS CONNECTING SAID EDGING MEMBERAND SAID CORNER SHOE MEMBERS TO SAID SPIDER MEMBER, AND MEANSINTERCONNECTING SAID EDGING MEMBER AND SAID PANEL.